Diabetes: Treatment, Management and Control

Mon, Sep 9, 2019
By publisher
6 MIN READ

Featured, Health

By Austin Ejenike

Being able to treat and control ones Diabetic condition is majorly and mostly dependent on the affected individual. But you can’t treat, regulate, manage or curb an illness without knowing what the condition is or the cause of this condition.

In basic terms the clinical condition “Diabetes” is a chronic illness that affects millions of people worldwide, uncontrolled circumstances can result to heart disease, kidney failure and other absurd medical condition.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Both types of diabetes are chronic diseases that affect the way your body regulates blood sugar, or glucose. Furthermore glucose is the fuel that feeds your body’s cells, but to enter your cells it needs access, Insulin creates that access.

type 1 diabetes
type 1 diabetes

Individuals with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin. “Think of it as not having access”.

People with type 2 diabetes don’t respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease often don’t make enough insulin. “Think of it as having unsteady or irregular access”.

The two types of diabetes can result to chronically high blood sugar levels. That increases the threat of diabetes complications.

Before diabetes is diagnosed, there is a period where blood sugar level are high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, this is known as prediabetes.

It’s estimated that up to 70% of people with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, progressing from prediabetes to diabetes isn’t inevitable. (based on research)

Stock-illustration-diabetic-symptoms-template
Stock-illustration-diabetic-symptoms-template

Symptoms of diabetes; both types of diabetes, if not controlled, share many similar symptoms, including:

Frequent urination

Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot

Feeling very hungry

Feeling very fatigued

Blurry vision

Cuts or sores that don’t heal properly

Individuals with type 1 diabetes may also experience irritability and mood changes, and unintentionally lose weight.  Those with type 2 diabetes may also have numbness and tingling in their hands or feet.

Although many of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, they present in very different ways. Many people with type 2 diabetes won’t have symptoms for many years.

Often the symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly over the course of time. Some people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all and don’t discover their condition until complications develop.

Bevoni_Achilles_rupture
Bevoni_Achilles_rupture

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop fast, typically over the course of several weeks. Type 1 diabetes, which was once known as juvenile diabetes, usually develops in childhood or adolescence. But it’s possible to get type 1 diabetes later in life.

Causes of diabetes; type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have similar names, but they are different diseases with unique causes.(healthline.com)

Causes of type 1 diabetes; The body’s immune system is responsible for fighting off foreign invaders, like harmful viruses and bacteria. In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes the body’s own healthy cells for foreign invaders.

The immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. After these beta cells are destroyed, the body is unable to produce insulin.

Researchers don’t know why the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. It may have something to do with genetic and environmental factors, like exposure to viruses. Research is ongoing.

Causes of type 2 diabetes; People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance. The body still produces insulin, but it’s unable to use it effectively. Researchers aren’t sure why some people become insulin resistant and others don’t, but several lifestyle factors may contribute, including excess weight and inactivity.

Other genetic and environmental factors may also contribute. When you develop type 2 diabetes, your pancreas will try to compensate by producing more insulin. Because your body is unable to effectively use insulin, glucose will accumulate in your bloodstream.

Curbing/managing Diabetes (Treatment)
Curbing/managing Diabetes (Treatment)

How to treat and manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes; there’s no cure for type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, so it must be regularly injected into your body. Some people take injections into the soft tissue, such as the stomach, arm, or buttocks, several times per day. Other people use insulin pumps. Insulin pumps supply a steady amount of insulin into the body through a small tube.

Blood sugar testing is an essential part of managing type 1 diabetes, because levels can go up and down quickly.

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled and even reversed with diet and exercise alone, but many people need extra support. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medications that help your body use insulin more effectively.

Monitoring your blood sugar is an essential part of diabetes management because it’s the only way to know if you’re meeting your target levels. Your doctor may recommend testing your blood sugar occasionally or more frequently. If your blood sugars are high, your doctor may recommend insulin injections.

With careful monitoring, you can get your blood sugar levels back to normal and prevent the development of serious complications.(healthline.com)

Diabetes diet; Nutritional management is an important part of life for people living with diabetes.

If you have type 1 diabetes, work with your doctor to identify how much insulin you may need to inject after eating certain types of food. For example, carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to quickly increase in people with type 1 diabetes. You’ll need to counteract this by taking insulin, but you’ll need to know how much insulin to take.

People with type 2 diabetes need to focus on healthy eating. Weight loss is often a part of type 2 diabetes treatment plans, so your doctor may recommend a low-calorie meal plan. This could mean reducing your consumption of animal fats and junk food.

 Risk factors leading to type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include: Family history: People with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing it themselves.

Age: Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but it’s most common among children and adolescents.

Geography: The prevalence of type 1 diabetes increases the farther away you are from the equator.

Genetics: The presence of some genes point to an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

”Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented”.

You are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:

Have prediabetes (slightly elevated blood sugar levels)

Are overweight or obese

When you have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes

When you are over age 45

When you are physically inactive

If you have ever had gestational diabetes, which is diabetes during pregnancy

When you give birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

Have polycystic ovarian syndrome

Have a lot of belly fat

It may be possible to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes; Maintain a healthy weight.

If you’re overweight, work with your doctor to develop a healthy weight-loss plan.

Increase your activity levels.

Eat a balanced diet, and reduce your intake of sugary or overly processed foods.(healthline.com)

– Sept 9, 2019 @15:42 GMT /

Tags: